Bag dispenser



March 23, 1954 w, BARNETT 2,673,134

BAG DISPENSER Filed June 6, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY March 23,1954 F. w. BARNETT 2,673,134

BAG DISPENSER Filed June 6, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Freder/clf W Barnf? Ar roe/v5 r March 23, 1954 w, BARNETT 2,673,134

BAG DISPENSER Filed June 6, 1949 4 Shegts-Sheet 3 Freder/c/r W. Bar/ref!3, 60 INVENTOR.

r /6 V 0A1? 67 2 67 I i I ATTORNEY March 23, 1954 R w NET 2,673,134

BAG DISPENSER Filed June 6, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 K 7 g T Patented Mar.23, 1954 2,673,134 BAG DISPENSER Frederick W.

Barnett, Houston, Tex., assignor of cent to Latimer Murfee, HarrisCounty, and fifteen per cent to Fulbright, Crooker, Freeman & Bates,Houston, Tex., a law Application June 6, 1949, Serial No.

13 Claims.

Further and other objects will be apparent 9 from the followingdescription of my invention taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings where like numerals designate like parts throughout the severalviews, and where,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my dispenser with parts broken awayillustrating a preferred form thereof,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the dispenser illustrated in Figure 1showing the device connected to the netherside of a counter,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the bag-opening mechanismshowing a modification thereof,

Fig. 4 is similar to Figure further modification thereof.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of an alternate form of my dispenser,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan view along the line 6-6 of Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary front view taken along the line 7-1 of Figure3,

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan View taken along the line 8-8 of Figure7,

Figure 9 is a fragmentary detail illustrating another form of the stopmember,

3 and illustrates a taken foremost sack 46 may view of a still fur- Inuse any number of transverse supporting members may be employed.

may be secured to the nether portions of housing members i2 are channelmembers 26 which provide a guide-wayZfl for V extending around the frontof the device and connected to pins or lugs 32 de- The chanrace for thecooperating pins forward end of the dispenser housing I 0, a transversestop member 38 is secured to the transverse support member 34 to providea'stop for the sacks.

engage the sacks or bags the numeral 42. The pad neoprene or othermaterial friction grip for the bags.

44 of the head piece l8 sacks in order that the extend beyond thesucguide for approaching ceeding sacks so that the former may be readilygrasped by the operator. To aid in extending the forward sack 46 in thismanner the flat springs 48 may be secured to the side members 24 and thesack advancing member 36 may be inclined forwardly as shown.

In placing the sacks or the bags in the dispenser, the sack advancingmember 36 may be brought to the back of the dispenser, and a hook 50pivotably connected to race arms 32 by ring 52 may be hooked over therearward part of channels 26, thus holding the member 36 in a retractedposition in order that the sacks 42 may be conveniently placed inthedispenser. Many commercial sacks or bags have an extending upper edge 54on the same side as the box portion 56 of the sack, and in order thatthe device may automatically open the sacks it is necessary that theSide on which the box portion of the sack is folded be grasped, and thepressure feed and the yielding frictional contact effected by the bagadvancing member 36 and the stop 3t and the friction pad 4!] against thelower portion of the sacks will effectively cause the box portion 56 tobe restrained from movement as the box portion side of the sack is urgedoutwardly thereby automatically opening the bag. Thus, in the type ofsack or bag illustrated, the sacks should be placed so that the boxportions ts face forwardly. After the sacks or bags are placed in thedispenser as described, the hook 50 is disengaged -so that the sackadvancing member 36 provides a pressure drive and yieldingly andfrictionally holds the lower portions of the sacks or bags 42 againstthe stop member 38 and the friction pad 40.

It is believed that the operation of the dispenser is apparent from theabove description.

By way of summary, after loading the dispenser in the manner indicatedheretofore, the sacks are yieldingly and frictionally held at theirlower portions and the forward ends successively emerge at the front ofthe device. By grasping the extending edge 54 of the sack 45, which mustbe the side on which the box portion thereof is folded, withdrawalthereof will automatically open the sack. The next sack is automaticallybrought into position to be withdrawn by the pressure feed from the bagadvancing member 36 and the guide 44. withdrawn and the next succeedingbag brought into position.

While I have described a preferred embodiment of my dispenser in somedetail, it is manifest that broadly my invention comprises a housing orcasing to hold the sacks or bags and means to provide a pressure feedand to yieldingly and frictionally grip the lower portion of the sacks,

so that the latter will automatically open on withdrawal. The housing orcasing may be of any desirable type of constructionand the pressure feedmeans may be actuated by tension springs or as illustrated in Figure 5by compression or flatsprings 30a or in other manner known to the art.Moreover, the friction grip may be integral with the housing or thehousing itself may provide sufficient friction to frictionally engagethe box portion so that the latter is restrained on withdrawal of thebagthereby opening the bag, as shown in Figure 9 and indicated by thenumeral 38a. It is manifest, however, that the friction stop and thefriction pad are preferred. In placing the sacks in the dispenser theedge thereof to be grasped, normally the leading edge, should be the boxportion sidev of This bag may then be 4 the sacks; otherwise, there isno requirement as to the manner of placing the sacks or bags in thedispenser.

If desired the pressure feed may be utilized to force the bags againstthe back of the housing. Such an arrangement may be utilized forparticularly large sacks where the top of the housing may be open andthe sacks withdrawn from the top of the device.

Figures 3, 7 and 8 illustrate a modification of the forward sto member38. Here a transverse bar 50 is provided between side braces 24providing an axle so that the member 38b may be pivotally securedthereto. In this modification the member 38b is forwardly bowed at 62thereby providing a bearing 54 so that the former may readily pivot onpivot rod or axle St. The lower innerportion of the member 381) may beinwardly and horizontally turned to provide an ear or an ejector at ofsuch width to preferably engage the bottoms of two sacks. Thus theforward sack will be in an advanced position and easily grasped, andwhen so withdrawn the member 38b will pivot on the axle til and willautomatically bring the next succeeding sack into leading and forwardposition to be withdrawn. A stop member 68 is secured to the inner sidesof the side members 24 to provide a stop for the member 38b. Theconfiguration of member 381) is such that in combination with the feedpressure against the bottom of the sacks produced by the advancingmember 36, the forward stop 3% will be brought back to its initialposition as indicated in the drawing after a sack has been withdrawn.The ear 66 should be flush with the floor of the housing or casing in orwith the top of the members 25, and, while not necessary, a spring means81 may be utilized to aid in returning the forward stop member 38b toits initial position. All other parts are similar to the above describedpreferred form and it is believed that the operation of thismodificationis apparent from the description. This modification isparticularly adapted for large or stiff sacks or bags.

A still further modification of the forward stop member is illustratedin Figures 4, 5 and 6. Here the stop member 38c is secured to theforward transverse member 34 as in Figures 1 and 2. The upper portion atof member 380 is upwardly, and outwardly inclined and is provided with alongitudinal slot 12 to slidingly receive the depending pin 14 of thetrip arm 16. The key or pin 14 is connected to the spring 18 as shown,the latter being secured to the lower forward housing support member 34.A longitudinalslot is provided in the lower ortion of the vertical faceof member 38 which slidingly receives pin or key 82, the latter beingconnected to the spring 18 inany conventional manner such as by weldingindicated by the reference numeral 19 a short distance from the bottomthereof.

The key 82 extends to and is integral with a lower ejector member 83having a vertical face 84 which in turn is flush with the inner verticalface of the member 380. The slot '80 is recessed to receive the ejectorface 84, and the lower portion of the latter is inwardly andhorizontally turned to provide the ear 66c flush with the'top of thefloor of the casing or housing It.

In operation of this modification, the ear'86 of the trip arm 16, whichmay be made of spring steel, will engage the box portion of the forwardsack or bag 46, thus urging the trip armalong the slot 12. The bagsusually open when'the trip arm 16 is approximately two-thirds'alongtheslot 12 by means of the tension of the spring 18 restraining the boxortion from upward movement. Inasmuch as the trip arm (6 is fashioned ofspring steel, the box portions of the bags are readily released from theear 8!} thus permitting removal of the bags from the dispenser withoutwedging or tearing the bags. If desired the upper end of the slot l2 maybe so formed to provide raising of the ear This may be accomplished wardend of the slot I2, as better illustrated in Figure 5. As the spring itis tensioned, the lower ejector 83 will be raised along the slot 80 anamount the spring l8 stretches between the point it is joined theretoand the bottom of the spring and the car 660 will raise thenext-succeeding sack into leading and forward position so that it may bereadily grasped for withdrawal. In this modification the box portion ofthe sacks or bags must face forwardly so that that ear 86 will engagethe box of the sack and open the same. The other parts of the dispenserare the same as the preferred form.

While this last scribed in connection with a single trap mechanismdisposed at either side of the stop member, or a plurality thereofspaced thereon, as illustrated in Figure 6.

In stores where various sizes of sacks are used it may be desirable tohave a single housing oontaining a plurality of dispensing compartmentsadapted to the size and. stiffness of the sacks as to which modificationfor opening the sack is to be utilized. While I have shown my dispenserconnected to the nether side of a counter or like member it is manifestthat it may be connected to walls and the like in any conventionalmanner or may be simply placed or secured on counters, floors and thelike.

It seems manifest that if desired the sacks may be withdrawn by graspingthe bottom of the sacks and restricting the movement of the side of thesack on which the box-portion of the sack is disposed, such usuallybeing the leading edge. Referring to Figure 10, the latter may besecured in a bag dispenser by providing a perforation 9 in the upperportion of the box-side edge and providing a small rod 8 on which thesacks may be suspended through the perforations. sired the bags may bedisposed with reference to Figure 11 the the box portion side of thebags being cemented to the blank 7, the whole to be inserted into thedispenser Hid having the depending inwardlyturned flanges E into whichthe blank I may be positioned. It is only necessary that the side of thebag on which the box-portion is disposed be restrained as the bag orsack is grasped at the bottom and withdrawn. Thus the bag isautomatically opened as it is withdrawn.

Broadly my invention comprises means to restrain movement of thebox-portion side of the bag and applying withdrawal force to a portionof such restrained side, a preferred embodiment comprising a housing orcasing to hold a supply of sacks or bags and a combination pressure feedand frictional gripping means, which may be integral with the housing orcasing, for the lower portion of the sacks or bags in order that the boxportion of the sack or bag will be yieldingly r and frictionallyrestrained so that the sack or bag will open upon Withdrawal.

I claim:

1. A dispenser for bags comprising, a housing including a bag dispensingopening, a guide member disposed at the upper end of the said guide saidbags into succestrip member along said slot thereby restraining bag.

4. In a dispenser including a casing adapted to contain a plurality ofbags and an opening for withdrawal of the bags therethrough Whereby thebags are automatically opened, the combination of a stop member adaptedto engage the lower portion of the said bags and means to advance thesaid bags toward the said opening and the said stop member, the saidstop member comprising a transverse bar including a substantiallyvertical face, an upper outwardly inclined face, longitudinal slots insaid faces, trip members slidably disposed in said upper slots andincluding portions extending beyond said vertical face adapted to engagethe upper portion of the box said trip members and the said ejectorswhereby the said box portion will be yieldingly restrained on withdrawaland will urge the said trip members and the said ejectors along saidslots.

5. In a dispenser including a casing adapted to contain a plurality ofbags and an opening for withdrawal of the bags therethrough whereby thebags are automatically opened, the combination of a stop member adaptedto frictionally engage the lower portion of the said bags and the lowerportion of the said bags.

6. A. dispensing .device for. bags 1 adapted .to automatically open abagupon withdrawaltherefrom comprising, a casing adapted to' hold aplurality of, such bags, said casing. having an opening through whichthe bags may be withdrawn, a pressure feed to advance said bags, a stop"member proximate said opening, and friction-means onisaid stopmemberxfor engaging and restraining box portions of such. bags uponwithdrawal of such bags from said opening.

' '7. A dispensingdevice for bags adapted to automatically open a bagupon withdrawal therefrom comprising, a casing adapted to hold aplurality of such bags, said casing having an opening through which thebags'may be withdrawn, a pressure feed to advance said bags, a stop mem--ber=-proximate said opening, friction means on said'stop member forengaging and restrainin box portion of such bags upon withdrawal of suchbags from said opening, and a guide in said opening whereby the forwardbag will extend beyond the next succeeding bag.

.8. A dispensing device for-bags adapted to automatically open a'bagupon withdrawal therefrom-comprising, a casing adapted to .hold aplurality of such bags; said casing having an opening through which thebags may be withdrawn, a pressure feed to advance said bags, saidpressure feed comprising a bag advancing memberand spring meansassociated with'said ba advancing member to 'yieldingly urge said bagadvancingmember into engagement with said bags, astop member proximatesaid opening, and afriction pad on said stop member for engaging andrestraining the lower portion of said bags upon withdrawal of saidbagsfrom said opening.

9. A dispensing device for bags adapted to automaticallyopen a bag uponwithdrawal therefrom comprising, a casing adapted to hold a plurality ofsuch bags, said casing having an opening through which the bags may bewithdrawn, apressure feed to advance said bags, said pressure-feedcomprising a bag advancing member and spring means associated withsaidbag advancing member to ,yieldingly urge said bag advancing member intoengagement with said bags, a stop member proximate said opening, afriction pad on said stop member for engaging and restraining the lowerportion of said bags upon withdrawal of said bags from said opening, anda guidein said open'ng whereby the forward bag will extend beyond thenext succeeding bag.

In a dispenser including a housing adapted to retain a plurality ofsacks and an opening for withdrawal of the sacks therethrough wherebythe bags are automatically opened, the :combination of a stop member, afriction member on said stop member for engaging and restraining "thelower portion of said sacks, and means to advance the said'sacks towardsaid opening and said stop member.

11; A dispenser for bags adapted to automatically open a bag uponwithdrawal therefrom comprising, a casing adapted to contain a pluralityof such bags, said casing having anopening for withdrawal of thebagstherethroughuin its upper forward end, a stop member,-said-stop membercomprising a transverse'bar' disposed at the lower forward end of saidcasing proximate said opening andincluding a friction padzdisposed onsaid transverse bar for engaging and restraining the lower portion ofsuch bags upon withdrawal of a bag from such opening,- and means toadvance said bags toward said opening andsaid stop member.

12. A dispenser for bags adapted to automatically open a bag uponwithdrawal therefrom comprising, a casing adapted to contain a pluralityof such bags, said casing having an opening for withdrawal of the bagstherethrough in its upper forward end, a stop member, saidstop membercomprising a transverse bar pivotally disposed at the lower forward endof said casing proximate said opening and including aafriction paddisposed on said transverse bar for-engaging and restraining lowerportions of such bags upon withdrawal of such bags fromsuchopening, andmeans to advance said bags toward said opening and said stop member.

.13. A dispenser adapted to contain a plurality of bags and adapted toopen such bags as they are withdrawn therefrom comprising, a housing forsaid bags, said housing having an opening for withdrawal of said bags inan upper portion thereof, a stop member at the lower portion of suchopening, said stop member being upwardly and outwardly flared, frictionmaterial onsaid stop member for engaging and restraining bags, andresilient means to urge such bags against such friction material andtoward such opening.

FREDERICK W. BARNETT.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

